Trump Administration Considers Not Separating Women and Children at Border

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Only 1,125 children travelling with guardians, who are mostly women, were apprehended at the southern US border in March.

Homeland Security secretary John Kelly delivers remarks on issues related to visas and travel after US President Donald Trump signed a new travel ban order in Washington, US, March 6, 2017. Credit: Reuters

Washington: The Trump administration is no longer considering separating women and children at the southern US border as a means of deterring their migration, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesman said on Wednesday (April 5).

US Homeland Security secretary John Kelly was questioned by a Senate panel on April 5, but only said it was not current policy to separate women and children except in certain circumstances.

The policy, first reported by Reuters, is “no longer under consideration, so the current policy is it,” said DHS spokesman David Lapan said.

A DHS official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the agency has changed course in part because of the sharp decline in women attempting to travel to the US with their children.

Only 1,125 children travelling with guardians, who are mostly women, were apprehended at the southern US border in March, according to data released on April 5 by the US Customs and Border Protection.

The decline marks a 93% fall since December in what was previously the fastest-growing demographic of immigrant apprehensions.

Overall immigrant apprehensions fell to a 17-year low, down to 16,600 in March.

Under Trump, who took office on January 20, the DHS had weighed separating women and children and issued guidance instructing officers to criminally charge parents who pay human smugglers to transport their children.

Trump also broadened the categories of illegal immigrants prioritised for deportation to include those charged, even if not convicted, of serious crimes.

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